Location
It's one of the most interesting archaeological remains on the island and is located about 10 km. from Fluminimaggiore; taking the gravel mining road, the temple is just 2 km away. Today the site can be visited as a result of both the important restoration it underwent from 1967 to 1976 and the various excavations that have produced remarkable material.
Features
This archaeological area has played a fundamental role in both Flumini's and others' history. The area, inhabited first during the Nuraghic period, attracted the Carthaginians (Punics) and then the Romans for its lead and iron deposits. Relevant archaeological ruins dating back from the Late Bronze Age (1200-900 B.C.) to the III century B.C. include an ancient path near the Su Mannau cave, the ruins of a settlement dating back to the Nuraghic and Roman Ages and the massive remains of the Punic-Roman temple dedicated to Sardus Pater Babai.
The Valley of Antas offers the visitor great natural scenery together with historical and cultural elements, mystical sensations and a tangible sacredness, typical of its past populations.
The Temple of Antas
The temple is an example of the tri-partition system typically present in Punic religious buildings; its atrium and penetralia are divided by an intermediate space.
The structure was partially modified by the Romans sometime during the I century B.C. but all of the features typical of a Punic temple were maintained.
The temple is situated on a base with a flight of stairs leading to the entrance. The pronaos has four big columns (tetra-style) upholding the main beam that contains the famous inscription: TEMP(lum) (SA)RDI PATRIS BAB(ai) meaning Sardus Pater Babai's Temple (Sardinian-Roman god that came from the Sardinian-Punic one named Sir Addir Babai) dedicated to Emperor Caracalla.
